OHC "Chopped Champion" event supports cancer wellness community

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Local survivors are inviting you to a special cook-off to celebrate “Cancer Champions.”

Last spring, Christina Vann went in to see her medical team for a routine mammogram.

“And to our surprise they found a lump that was in my left breast,” said Christina, a breast cancer survivor.

Within days, Christina was referred to Dr. Betsy Levick, who is a medical oncologist with Oncology Hematology Care, or OHC.

The diagnosis of breast cancer led to surgery and chemotherapy.

“And after treatment we really have switched her into a survivorship mode,” said Dr. Levick.

Christina says her family is grateful for the outstanding medical care she received, that helped save her life.

As part of that care, it's also important to address the emotional needs of survivors, and that is where you can come in.

You can come out and support a special event for these survivors that really looks at the other side of cancer care.

It's the second annual Cancer Chopped Champion event, which supports the cancer support community.

“The Cancer Community Support System gives me everything I need to try to figure out how to conquer this disease for the future,” said Christina.

Christina and Dr. Levick will both be at the cook off for a cause.

“Who knows what we'll be chopping up, I get to compete against one of my partners, as well as one of my patients,” said Dr. Levick.

“I would pray, like in chemotherapy, every single day: ‘God please, just make this tumor go away,’ and the minute my tumor went away, I remember calling my mom and saying ‘how do you thank God?’ You can't like send him a message or something and she said ‘it'll come to you Christina, it'll come to you,’” said Christina.

What came to her, is what she now wants others living with this disease to know:

“It’s not a death sentence, it's something that can be lived, survived and you can change, it's gonna change your life in ways that you can't imagine,” said Christina.

The Chopped Cancer Champion event is Thursday, July 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the Edwin Green Middle School in Blue Ash.

It is free, but you do need to RSVP to attend and enjoy the food, which supports the cancer support community.